January 21, 2008


OMD has expanded their relationship with Kia Motors by winning the global Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) business across Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. OMD will be responsible for their strategic media stewardship, as well as their planning, negotiation and buying under a new consolidated media budget. The pitch was an extremely competitive three way battle between incumbent Vizeum, OMD and Zenith Optimedia.

Kia, a subsidiary of Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, is South Korea's second largest and oldest car company, founded in 1944. Since 2005, they have focused largely on the European market, and are currently the UK's fastest growing car company.

The account will be run globally out of Germany by K360 MEDIA, a dedicated and separate division within OMD created specifically for Kia. Mahnas Shams-Azar, Director, OMD International Germany says: "We are very proud that the work we already do for Kia Motors Europe has been validated by this win of the global corporate business. Kia has referred to our performance as that of a ‘7 star agency’."

According to Nikki Mendonça, President of OMD in the EMEA region, "We are delighted to expand our relationship with Kia globally and look forward to leveraging new and exciting opportunities such as Kia's sports marketing where we will help to maximise their involvement in Euro 2008."

For further information please contact Mahnas Shams-Azar, International Director, on:

Tel: +49 (0) 40 284536221
Mob: +49(0) 177- 3888091
Email: mahnas.shams-azar@omdint.de